Jet spray tank cleaner

ABSTRACT

A portable high-pressure jet spray cleaning apparatus with collapsible features for use in cleaning the agitator blades and the interior surfaces of tanks and vessels utilizing a plurality of rotatable high-pressure spray nozzles which rotate in a changing geometrical pattern for directing a high-pressure stream of fluid against the interior wall surfaces of tanks and vessels.

United States Patent lnventors Donald B. Ruppel Cuyahoga Falls; NormanE. Reinhart, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Lee F. Stalker, Louisville, Ky. Appl.No.

839,896 Filed July 8, 1969 Patented Aug. 17, 1971 I Assignee The B. F.Goodrich Company New York, N.Y.

JET SPRAY TANK CLEANER 9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs. 7

US. Cl 239/227, 134/168,-239/247, 239/265 Int. Cl"; B05b 3/10 Field ofSearch 239/160,

Grant, Jr.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Richard George Browning PedrickBrannfors et al.

Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Michael Y. MarAttorneys-Thomas M. Schmitz and Joseph Januszkiewicz 239/227 239/227239/227 X 239/227 X 239/227 X 239/165 X ABSTRACT: A portablehigh-pressure jet spray cleaning apparatus with collapsible features foruse in cleaning the agitator bladesand the interior surfaces of tanksand vessels utilizing a plurality of rotatable high-pressure spraynozzles which rotate in a changing geometrical pattern for directing ahighpressure stream of fluid against the interior wall surfaces of tanksand vessels.

PATENTEDAUBHIH?! 3.599871 'SHEET 1 OF 2 2060 :PUMP

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I 19- i F '4 43 I I0 C 1 22 j 23 67 I 2 i 1 27- 38 3 3 42 5 z 40 l 4 v IINVENTORS DONALD E. RUPPEL NORMAN E. REINHART BJEE F. ST LKER E Z ATTY.

' PATENTEU we: 7 I97! sum 2 or 2 INVENTORS RUPPEL ORMAN E. REINHART LEEF.

DONALD B.

VIN

S TALKER AT TY.

PUMP

This invention relates to a high-pressure cleaning device 5 and moreparticularly to a portable jet spray cleaning apparatus which directs ahigh-pressure stream of fluid against the interior surfaces withinchemical-processing vessels.

In the chemical-processing industry various storage and processingvessels are utilized which must be periodically cleaned. Interiorsurfaces of such tanks or vessels can be glass lined orflof stainlesssteel which surfaces invariably become contaminated and fouled due tothe chemicals processed therein. In polymerization of polyvinylchloride, for example, cleaning of processing vessels is necessary afterthe completion of each batch polymerization process. In addition to theinterior surface walls of such tanks, the interior of suchchemical-processing tanks may contain baffles, crevices, agitatorsandagitator blades and the like, which also must be cleaned. Cleaningperiodically is necessary so as to prevent contamination of succeedingpolymerization batches and, additionally, to maintain a clean nonfouledinterior wall surfaceproviding for optimum heat transfer therethrough.

Cleaning of the interiors of such tanks is normally accomplished bymanually scrapping the interior walls, baffles and agitator blades insuch tanks. Manual methods are time consuming, ineffective for thoroughcleaning due to the inherent deficiencies of a manual operationandadditionally mars the wall surfaces as'by inadvertently scratching thesurface when using a scraper. More recently, hand lances utilizinghighpressure nozzles have been used to supplement the hand scrapping toclean the interiors of tanks. However, an operator using a hand lance isessentially still a manual operation whereinthe operator maneuvers thehand lancewhich maneuvering is rendered difficult by the length of suchlances.

Operating a-hand lance outside the vessel makes it impossible to reachall interior surfaces within the vessel. A hand lance withina tank.

invariably creates a fog. which further hampers the'operator fromobserving the interior of the tank. Hand lancesare 'dif-- ficult tomaneuver and, due to the high-pressure system, create an ever presentdanger to operating personnel. Numerous safety procedures are necessarywith manual operations, such as locking out the agitator motor and panelswitch to render the agitators inoperable, connecting an exhaust hose tothe tanks prior to cleaning and exhausting the interior thereof foratleast 20 minutes to assure that the toxic fumes therein are allexhausted since such fum'esare heavier than air,

locking various valves and engaging safety alarms for the sole purposeof protecting operators working within and around the vessel. Theoperator has difficulty climbing into the tank requiring considerableeffort and maneuvering. Accordingly, such manual cleaning methodsemployed are time consuming, cumbersome and dangerous, and are furtherinadequate for providing the necessary clean surfaces within thevessels. These and other disadvantages are no longer encountered inpracticing this invention.

The advantages realized with this invention are numerous. A manualcleaning operation is eliminated which avoids occu pationalhazards ofoperators and further eliminates inherent deficiencies of handoperations such as fatigue and carelessness. A portable cleaning devicewith a rotating jet spray noz' zle device is inserted into the tank andoperates without opera- 7 tor manipulations, which device automaticallyadjusts and rotates within the tank so as to clean all interiorsurfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention a portablehigh-pressure jet spray device with collapsible features is provided for70 rapidly and effectively cleaning interior surfaces of processing Toclearly illustrate this invention, referencewillhenceforth be made tothe embodiment of this invention shown in the- FIG. 1 is aside-elevationviewof a jet spray cleaning device FIG. 2 is a side-elevation view ofanother-embodiment of this invention. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVE TION Referring to the drawings whereinlike-reference characters designate like or corresponding'partsthroughout the several views, there is shown a tankor vessel 1'0 whichreceives the jet cleaning .apparatustobe describedi'lhe. upper portionof vessel 10 has a circular flange '11 defininga manhole 12 for entryinto the inside of vessel 10. The portable jet cleaning apparatusincludes a support base or support means 13 which is suitably secured tothe flange 11. Extending through support means 13 and suitably securedthereto is a first hollow support member l5. A second hollow supportmember 16 is suitably connected to thefirstsupport member 15 as by aswivel joint 17'. The'lower end portion of first support member 15 has alaterally extending bracket 18 secured thereto. The upper end portion ofsupport member 16 has a laterally extending bracket 19 secured'theretoin alignment with-upper bracket 18. Brackets l8-and1 9'have bores inalignment which receive a locking bar 14 which secures the respectivesupport members l5 and 16 into a rigid'structure. The upper end oflocking bar 14 has a flanged portion 20-to facilitate the manipulationof the locking bar 14 relative to support members 15 and 16.

The lower'end portion of support member 16 is pivotally attached-to the.one end of hollow crossmemberll and 22. The other ends of crossmembers21 and 22 are further pivotally connected-to ahollow manifold supportmember 23. Manifold support member 23 is movable upwardly and'downwardlyin vertical alignment and parallel to support member 16 during theextending and collapsing movement thereof in view of rotary joint 24secured to the upper end portion thereof and a rotary joint 25 securedto .the lower end portionthereof. The

upper and lower rotary joint 24 and 25 receive spray nozzles 1 to behereinafter described.

Suitably secured to lower rotary joint 25.is a torque bracket 26 whichsupports a hollow shaft speed reducer 27 and motive drive means or airmotor. 28. Operatively attached to lower rotary joint 25 is a pipe 29which .is joumaled within speed reducer 27 for rotation thereby. A bevelgear 30 is suitably secured to the housing of a speed reducer 27. Pipe29has its lower end portion secured to one end of a right angle swiveljoint 36 such that rotation of pipe 29 rotates, right angle joint 36 andcarries with it a lower bevel gear 40 about the vertical axis-of pipe29.;Bevel gear 40, meshing with bevel gear30, is

joumaled for rotation on the other end of the swivel joint 36 such thatas bevel gear. 40 is carried about the axis of pipe 29, bevel gear 40'rotates on its own axis. Secured to rotating bevel gear 40 for rotationtherewith is a T-fitting 42. High-pressure spray nozzles 35,35 aresecured to the end portions of T-fitting 42 to receive pressurizedfluids from pipe 29 via swivel joint 36for a purpose to be described.

In like manner, suitably secured to the upper rptary joint 24 of supportmember 23 is a torque bracket 43 which supports a hollow shaft speedreducer 47 and motive drive rneans or air motor 50. Operatively attachedto upper rotary joint 24 is a pipe 46 which is journaled within speedreducer-47 for rotation thereby. A bevelgear 48is suitably secured tothe housing of a speed reducer 47. Pipe 46 has its upper end portionsecured'to one end of a right angle swivel joint 54 such that rotationof pipe 46 rotates right angle joint 54 and carries with it. an upperbevelv gear 51 about the vertical axisof pipe.46.

Bevel gear 51, meshingwith bevel gear 48is joumaled for rotation on theother end of swivel joint 54 such that as bevel gear 51 is carried aboutthe vertical axis of pipe 46, bevel gear 52 rotates on its own axis.Secured to rotating bevel gear 51 for rotation therewith is a T-fitting56 which supports spray nozzles 57,57.

Extending through hollow support members and 16 is a flexible conduit 60which is suitably connected to a fluid supply source for supplying fluidto hollow crossmembers 21 and 22. I-Iollow crossmembers 21 and 22 areconnected to manifold support member 23 which transports fluid to spraynozzles 57,57 and 35,35. If desired, conduit 60 may be connected viaseparate conduits in crossmembers 21 and 22 and through support member23 for the delivery of fluids to nozzles 57,57 and 35,35. Conduit 60 isconnected to a high-pressure pump 61 which receives its supply of fluidsuch as water from a suitable source.

Upon activation of air motors 28 and 50, rotation of upper spray nozzles57,57 and lower nozzles 35,35 are effected through lower bevel gear 40meshing with lower bevel gear 30. The number of teeth on stationarybevel gear 30 is different than the number of teeth on rotational bevelgear 40. As an example, lower stationary bevel gear 30 can have 105teeth with a 16 diametrical pitch and a pitch angle while bevel gear 40can have 104 teeth with a 16 diameter pitch and a 20 pitch angle. Insuch example, the geometric spray pattern of lower nozzles 35, 35changes continuously upon one complete revolution of gear 40 such thatthe changing geometric pattern permits all interior surfaces of thevessel to have jet spray directed thereto. In like manner, the upperstationary bevel gear 48 which engages upper bevel gear 51 has aplurality of gear teeth differing in number of gear teeth on bevel gear48. Preferably, gear 51 has fewer gear teeth than the stationary gear48. Thus, the upper spray nozzles 57,57 also rotate in a continuouslychanging geometric pattern.

To'facilitate the positioning and collapsing of the cleaning apparatus,a winch 65 operated by a handle 66 is suitably mounted on the supportbase 13 to dispense and retract a stainless steel wire 67. Wire 67passes through a bore in support member 15, through support member 16and thence through a bore in support member 16 for connection to thelower torque bracket 26. Rotation of handle 66 will effect the windingor unwinding of steel wire 67 which raises or lowers the jet sprayassemblies as depicted by solid lines and phantom lines respectively asshown in FIG. 1.

In the operation of the apparatus described, assume that the a jet sprayapparatus is in a collapsed position, as shown in phantom lines in FIG.1, however, with the locking bar 14 out of engagement with brackets 18and 19. The apparatus with the swivel joint 17 permits the manipulationof the lower portion thereof relative to the upper portion of the vesseland and the clearance space above the vessel to facilitate thepositioning of the lower portion thereof into the tank. Support base 13is then positioned on the flange l1 and locking bar 14 isinsertedthrough the support base 13 to engage brackets 18 and l9.tothereby stabilize support members 15 and 16. Handle 66 is thenrotated tounwind steel wire .67 which lowers the jet spray assembly to an expandedposition as shown by solid lines in FIG. 1. Cleaningfluid is then pumpedunder high pressure of about 3,000 to 6,000 p.s.i. to conduit whichtransmits the cleaning solution under high pressure to manifold supportmember 23. Manifold 23 then distributes the cleaning fluid undercontinued high pressure to jet spray nozzles 35,35 and 57,57. Lowerairmotor 28 and upper air motor 50 are activated to rotate via lowerspeed reducer 27 and upper speed reducer 47 respectively nozzles 35,35and 57,57 in a predetermined geometric pattern which covers the entireinterior surfaces of. the tank and the elements therein including theagitator 38 and baffle 39.

A modification of the above-described embodiment is shown in FIG. 2wherein a cylindrical support means 70 with a flanged portion 71 issuitably attached to the flanged opening of the tank as by bolts 72.Extending downwardly through supportmeans 70 and supported by suitablebearings therein is a tubular support member 74. A pair of spacedcrossmembers 75 and 76 have their other ends pivotally secured tosupport member 74 and their other ends pivotally secured to tubularsupport member 78. Secured to the lower portion of tubular supportmember 78 is motor transmission means 79 which drives gear assembly 80having a stationary bevel gear 81 meshing with bevel gear 82. Jet spraynozzles 83,83 are secured to the bevel gear 82 for rotation therewith asdiscussed in the first embodiment utilizing rotary joints or unions. Asdescribed therein bevel gear 82 has less teeth than gear 81 to providethe geometric cleaning pattern as discussed in the first embodiment.Alternatively, bevel gear 82 may have more teeth than gear 81.

An upper spray nozzle assembly 85 with jet spray nozzles 86,86 isoperatively attached to the upper portion of tubular member 78 andoperates essentially as spray nozzle assembly 83 and the spray nouleassemblies of the first embodiment through motor transmission means 84.

The head end of a pneumatic cylinder 87 is suitably pivotally connectedto support member 74 while the piston rod 88 thereof is pivotallyconnected to the intermediate portion of support member 78. Lockingmeans comprising a spring biased latch 89 is operative to engage a pin90 on crossmember 76 to secure the apparatus in the collapsed positionas shown by phantom lines in FIG. 2. A pneumatic cylinder 91, remotelyoperated, releases the latch 89 to permit the lowering of support member78 relative to the support member 74. In the operation of thismodification the highpressure jet sprays are directed against theinterior surfaces of vessels, the agitators, and deflectors which incombination with the changing geometric pattern of the rotating jetspray nozzles as discussed in detail above effect a rapid and thoroughcleaning therein. Substantial efficiency and operator safety arerealized in addition to providing apparatus for thoroughly cleaning tankinteriors.

Although a specific embodiment and a preferred mode of operation of theinvention has been hereinbefore described, it is understood that thesubject invention is not limited thereto since variations andmodifications thereof can be made without departing from the principlesof the invention.

We claim:

1. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vesselcomprising: support means for resting upon the flange of an opening of avessel and for attachment to the flange of the vessel; at least a pairof elongated support members supported by said support means forpositioning into the interior of the vessel; power means interconnecting(operatively connected to) said support members for extending andretracting one of said elongated support members relative to the otherof said elongated support members to (facilitate) collapse said membersinto a compact unit for removal and insertion of said portable cleaningapparatus into the vessel; spray nozzle means mounted on one saidsupport members for rotation thereon; conduit means on said portableapparatus connected to, said spray nozzle for delivering high-pressurecleaning fluid to said spray nozzle means; and motive drive meansmounted on said one member and connected to said spray nozzle means forrotating said spray nozzle means through a changing pattern of movement.

2. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel as setforth in claim 1 wherein said spray nozzle means is rotatable about apair of axes that are perpendicular to each other.

3. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel as setforth in claim 1 wherein said spray nozzle means and said motive drivemeans include spray nozzles mounted on a first bevel gear rotatableabout a first axis and driven by a second bevel gear rotatable about asecond axis; and wherein said second bevel gear has a plurality of teethdiffering in number than said first bevel gear.

4. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel as setforth in claim 3 including pump means operatively attached to saidconduit means for supplying fluid thereto at pressures of greater than3000 p.s.i.

5. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel as setforth in claim 4 wherein said other support member comprises a pair oflongitudinally extending hollow tubes that areinterconnecte'd by auniversal joint to facilitate the placement of said portable apparatusinto said vessel and each of 5 said hollow tubes includes a bracketthatcooperates with a lockingbar to maintain said tubes in fixedrelationship.

6. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel as setforth in claim 1 wherein said power means includes a hydraulic cylindermeans mounted on one of said pairs of support members and is operativeto extend and retract said one support member relative to the other ofsaid support members.

7. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel as setforth in claim 1 wherein pump means is operatively conne'cted to saidconduit means for supplying fluid thereto at pressures between 3000 psi.'and6000 p.s.i.

8. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vesselcomprising: support means for attachment to the vessel; a first supportmember mounted on said support means; a second support member pivotally'connected to said first support member; a third hollow support memberpivotally connected by crossmembers to said second support member; powermeans operatively connected to said support members for extending andretracting said third support members relative to said second supportmembers to facilitate the removal and insertion of said portablecleaning apparatus into the vessel; locking means securing said firstand second support members together; spray nozzle means mounted on saidthird support members for rotation thereon; conduit means on saidportable apparatus connected to said spray nozzle for deliveringhighpressure cleaning fluid to said spray nozzle means; and motive drivemeans connected to said spray nozzle means about a pair of axes that areperpendicular to each other.

9 A portable cleaning apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel asset forth in claim 8 wherein said spray nozzle means includes a pair ofspaced nozzle assemblies mounted on said third support member; each ofsaid nozzle assemblies having a first bevel gear journaled for rotationthereon and a second bevel gear meshing with said first bevel gear; apair of spray nozzles mounted on said second bevel gear; rotary unionmeans interconnecting said spray nozzles with said conduit means fordelivery of high-pressure cleaning fluid to said spray nozzle means;said second bevel gear having a less number of teeth than said firstbevel gear; and said motive drive means being connected to said firstbevel gear.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N0. 3:599s7 D t d August 7,

Invent0r(g) Donald B. Ruppel, Norman E. Reinhart, Lee F, Stalker It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, Line 2n, the word "diameter" should be ---dia.metrica1--- IColumn 3, Line 39, after the word "support" add ---means 13 and thendownwardly through a bore in support---- Signed and sealed this 29th dayof February 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDE-IAHD M.F'LETCHEH,JH. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting OfficerCommissioner of Patents ORM F'O-1050f1U-69] USCOMM DC GOJIEMPUQ u sGOVERNMENV PRINTING OFFICE 1969M wee-33a

1. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel comprising: support means fOr resting upon the flange of an opening of a vessel and for attachment to the flange of the vessel; at least a pair of elongated support members supported by said support means for positioning into the interior of the vessel; power means interconnecting (operatively connected to) said support members for extending and retracting one of said elongated support members relative to the other of said elongated support members to (facilitate) collapse said members into a compact unit for removal and insertion of said portable cleaning apparatus into the vessel; spray nozzle means mounted on one said support members for rotation thereon; conduit means on said portable apparatus connected to said spray nozzle for delivering high-pressure cleaning fluid to said spray nozzle means; and motive drive means mounted on said one member and connected to said spray nozzle means for rotating said spray nozzle means through a changing pattern of movement.
 2. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spray nozzle means is rotatable about a pair of axes that are perpendicular to each other.
 3. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spray nozzle means and said motive drive means include spray nozzles mounted on a first bevel gear rotatable about a first axis and driven by a second bevel gear rotatable about a second axis; and wherein said second bevel gear has a plurality of teeth differing in number than said first bevel gear.
 4. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel as set forth in claim 3 including pump means operatively attached to said conduit means for supplying fluid thereto at pressures of greater than 3000 p.s.i.
 5. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel as set forth in claim 4 wherein said other support member comprises a pair of longitudinally extending hollow tubes that are interconnected by a universal joint to facilitate the placement of said portable apparatus into said vessel and each of said hollow tubes includes a bracket that cooperates with a locking bar to maintain said tubes in fixed relationship.
 6. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel as set forth in claim 1 wherein said power means includes a hydraulic cylinder means mounted on one of said pairs of support members and is operative to extend and retract said one support member relative to the other of said support members.
 7. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel as set forth in claim 1 wherein pump means is operatively connected to said conduit means for supplying fluid thereto at pressures between 3000 p.s.i. and 6000 p.s.i.
 8. A portable apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel comprising: support means for attachment to the vessel; a first support member mounted on said support means; a second support member pivotally connected to said first support member; a third hollow support member pivotally connected by crossmembers to said second support member; power means operatively connected to said support members for extending and retracting said third support members relative to said second support members to facilitate the removal and insertion of said portable cleaning apparatus into the vessel; locking means securing said first and second support members together; spray nozzle means mounted on said third support members for rotation thereon; conduit means on said portable apparatus connected to said spray nozzle for delivering high-pressure cleaning fluid to said spray nozzle means; and motive drive means connected to said spray nozzle means about a pair of axes that are perpendicular to each other.
 9. A portable cleaning apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel as set forth in claim 8 wherein said spray nozzle means includes a pair of spaced nozzle assemblies mounted on said third support member; each of said nozzle assemblies having a first bevel gear journaled fOr rotation thereon and a second bevel gear meshing with said first bevel gear; a pair of spray nozzles mounted on said second bevel gear; rotary union means interconnecting said spray nozzles with said conduit means for delivery of high-pressure cleaning fluid to said spray nozzle means; said second bevel gear having a less number of teeth than said first bevel gear; and said motive drive means being connected to said first bevel gear. 